New York State Waterfowl Count – 2008 January 12, 2008 Ulster County Narrative Page 1 of 8

Sixteen observers in five field parties participated in the Ulster County segment of the annual New York State Winter Waterfowl Count, recording a total of 17 species and 6,890 individuals within the county on Saturday, 12 January 2008. This represents a record high species count, exceeding last year's diversity by three species, and is just 204 individuals short of our record high total set in 2006. Field observers noted fast moving water, and essentially frozen ponds, lakes, and marshes throughout the county. Stone Ridge Pond on Mill Dam Road was the exception, and continues to contribute a large number of individuals and a few unusual species to the composite, hosting American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, and 1,061 individuals this year. The Hudson River, Ashokan Reservoir, lower Esopus Creek in Saugerties, and agricultural fields surrounding Wallkill prison accounted for the majority of the balance of the count.

Weather conditions were quite favorable for this time of the year, especially in comparison to the rain and wide- spread fog of last year, or the sub-freezing temperatures typical of a mid-January count. A very dense fog did persist over the Hudson River early morning, requiring some minor route changes to allow for early visits to inland sites while delaying surveys of the Hudson to later in the day. Temperatures started out just below freezing, then warmed to a very comfortable mid-40's (F) by afternoon. Winds were calm for the most part, with the exception of a cold NW gale sweeping across partially frozen Ashokan Reservoir, making for very choppy waters in the lower basin and difficult viewing conditions. The Hudson River was ice-free, Ashokan Reservoir remained about 40% open, but most small ponds and marshes were largely to completely frozen. Moving creeks and rivers were open but flowing swiftly in their channels, with ice covering placid backwaters. Area cornfields were largely exposed, with some patchy areas of minor snow cover.

Highlights of the 8.5-hour effort include 500 Canvasbacks, 12 Redheads, 86 American Black Ducks, 1 Double- crested Cormorant, and 1 Ring-necked Duck. Two Common Ravens were observed flying over Stone Ridge Pond in the direction of the Catskill Mountains, and the following natural history note comes from a spring-fed marsh at the northern periphery of the county. The Great Vly on the Ulster/Greene County line was completely frozen over early morning, including a thin layer of ice that had apparently formed the previous night over the typically open access area adjacent to the outflow. While scanning the reed and cattail beds for roosting waterfowl, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a sudden cracking of the thin ice, and observe one of the resident beavers poking his/her head through the ice immediately below my elevated vantage point. The beaver proceeded to survey the surroundings, then submerge and swim twenty or so yards under the ice, reemerging several additional times by breaking headfirst through the thin ice.

Eight Bald Eagles (5 adults, 3 juveniles) were observed during the count, five on the Hudson River, one on Esopus Creek in the Town of Ulster, one on Rondout Creek in Eddyville, and one over a field in New Paltz. A few Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, and numerous Ring-billed Gulls were encountered on various waterways and agricultural fields, otherwise no unusual gull species were reported. Belted Kingfisher was reported from only one location, none of the field parties reported seeing a Great Blue Heron on count day, and no neck-banded geese or swans were encountered.

One field party (Sector A) reported observing waterfowl at two public feeding locations (A-7 and A-8). The following pages detail field effort, area descriptions, and individual sector counts. Thanks once again this year to all of the participants for their dedication in providing comprehensive coverage of the county.

Steve M. Chorvas – compiler

P.O. Box 214 Saugerties, NY 12477 845-246-5900 [email protected] Page 2 of 8

New York State Waterfowl Count – 2008 Ulster County Compilation January 12, 2008 Total Species A B C D E F M 5,315 Canada Goose 916 14 593 2816 976 53 Mute Swan 45 8 1 Wood Duck 1 1 American Wigeon 1 86 American Black Duck 55 12 8 1 10 661 Mallard 510 11 101 25 14 2 Mallard X Black 2 500 Canvasback 500 12 Redhead 8 4 1 Ring-necked Duck 1 5 Scaup species 5 3 Bufflehead 1 2 160 Common Goldeneye 3 3 150 4 7 Hooded Merganser 1 6 78 Common Merganser 4 53 21 1 Red-breasted Merganser 1 3 Common Loon 1 2 1 Double-crested Cormorant 1

6,890 Total Individuals 1,549 49 1,425 2,863 1,004 0 17 Total Species 13 7 11 4 4 0

8 Bald Eagle (Adult / Juvenile) 2 J 2 A 3 A 1J 0 0 0

New York State Waterfowl Count – 2008 Date: January 12, 2008 Ulster County – NYSOA Region 9 Page 3 of 8

Observers: Steve Chorvas

# Area Surveyed – Sector A Start Time End Time 1 Saugerties Reservoir Frozen 08:00 AM 08:05 2 The Great Vly WMA Frozen 08:15 08:50 3 Bristol Beach State Park – Hudson River 09:25 09:55 4 Malden Park (STP) – Hudson River 10:00 10:30 5 Lighthouse Drive – Esopus Creek below dam Public feeding site 10:40 10:50 6 Saugerties Lighthouse Trail – Hudson River 11:00 12:00 PM 7 Saugerties Beach – Esopus Creek above dam Public feeding site 12:10 12:30 8 Tina Chorvas Park – Esopus Creek below dam Public feeding site 12:35 12:50 9 Glasco Riverfront Park (STP) – Hudson River 12:55 01:05 10 Glenerie Falls (PVI bridge south to Falls) – Esopus Creek 01:10 01:15 PM

Total Species Area  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 256 Canada Goose 250 6 40 Mute Swan 40 9 American Black Duck 9 60 Mallard 4 16 40 8 Redhead 8 1 Bufflehead 1 3 Common Goldeneye 3 4 Common Merganser 2 2 1 Red-breasted Merganser 1 382 Total Individuals / Area 2 316 22 42

2 Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv) 1 J 1 J

# Area Surveyed – Sector A Start Time End Time 11 Wynkoop Road Bridge – Esopus Creek 01:30 PM 01:35 12 Lomontville Flats (Hurley Mountain Road) – Cornfields 01:35 01:45 13 Fording Place and holding ponds – Esopus Creek 01:45 02:05 14 Stone Ridge Pond (Mill Dam Road) 02:15 02:55 15 Spillway Road – Ashokan Reservoir Esopus Creek Outflow 03:05 03:10 16 Ashokan Spillway Beaver Pond Frozen 17 Ashokan Reservoir – Lower Basin 03:25 04:00 18 Ashokan Reservoir – Upper Basin 04:05 04:35 19 Kenozia Lake Frozen 20 Onteora Lake Frozen 04:45 PM

Total Species Area  11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 660 Canada Goose 650 10 5 Mute Swan 5 1 American Wigeon 1 46 American Black Duck 2 44 450 Mallard 400 50 2 Mallard X Black 2 1 Ring-necked Duck 1 1 Hooded Merganser 1 1 Common Loon 1 1,167 Total Individuals / Area 1,061 1 105

Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv)

1,549 SECTOR TOTALS Species: 13 Notes: Bald Eagles: 0 (Ad) 2 (Juv)

New York State Waterfowl Count – 2008 Date: January 12, 2008 Ulster County – NYSOA Region 9 Page 4 of 8

Observers: Mark Dedea, Alan Beebe, Bob DeDea, Mary Jo Wilshire

# Area Surveyed – Sector B Start Time End Time 1 Kingston Point Lagoon and Point – Hudson River 09:00 AM 09:15 2 Kingston Point Beach – Hudson River 09:15 09:20 3 Ulster Landing Park – Hudson River 09:35 09:55 4 Rider Park, Town of Ulster – Hudson River 10:05 10:25 5 Post Park, Town of Ulster – Hudson River 10:35 11:05 6 Rt. 209 (Ulster Town Hall) – Esopus Creek 11:15 11:20 7 Glenerie Blvd. – Esopus Creek 8 Clint Finger Road – Esopus Creek 9 Farm To Market Road – Esopus Creek 11:25 11:35 10 Thruway Bridge (Tourism Caboose) – Esopus Creek 11:45 12:05 PM

Total Species Area  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 14 Canada Goose 6 8 12 American Black Duck 12 11 Mallard 5 2 2 2 3 Common Goldeneye 3 6 Hooded Merganser 1 2 3 2 Common Loon 1 1 1 Double-crested Cormorant 1 49 Total Individuals / Area 17 2 5 1 9 2 10 3

1 Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv) 1 A

# Area Surveyed – Sector B Start Time End Time 11 Dutch Village Walk – Esopus Creek 12:10 PM 12:30 12 Immigrant’s Way (Tilcon Area) – Hudson River 12:40 01:00 PM 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Total Species Area  11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

0 Total Individuals / Area 0 0

1 Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv) 1 A

49 SECTOR TOTALS Species: 7 Notes: Site #7 & #8 not visited Bald Eagles: 2 (Ad) 0 (Juv)

New York State Waterfowl Count – 2008 Date: January 12, 2008 Ulster County – NYSOA Region 9 Page 5 of 8

Observers: Lin Fagan, Lynn and Allan Bowdery, Ruth Elwell, Jayne Dean, Charlie Woodruff (All sites 1-7, split party sites 8-15)

# Area Surveyed – Sector C Start Time End Time 1 East of Rt. 32 North on James Street – South side of Rondout Creek 09:15 AM 09:20 2 East of Rt. 32 North on Creeklocks Road to Rt. 213 – North side of Rondout Creek 09:30 10:00 3 Mountain Hill Road/Cutler Hill Road back to Rt. 23 North at DeWitt Mill Road – Rondout Creek 10:00 10:10 4 Abeel Street from bridge at Eddyville to Millen’s on the Strand – Rondout Creek 10:45 11:15 5 Esopus Town Beach - Hudson River 12:00 PM 12:30 6 Esopus Meadows - Hudson River 12:30 12:50 7 New Salem Lake (includes area behind the Marina) 01:00 8 Pond (Old Post Rd & Rt. 9W at RR tracks) 02:00 9 Rt. 9W Town of Esopus – Hudson River 02:10 10 Sturgeon Pool 02:30 02:30 PM

Total Species Area  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 113 Canada Goose 12 48 38 15 6 Mute Swan 2 2 2 1 Wood Duck 1 4 American Black Duck 4 99 Mallard 14 48 4 22 5 4 2 500 Canvasback 500 4 Redhead 4 5 Scaup species 5 2 Bufflehead 2 150 Common Goldeneye 150 53 Common Merganser 11 26 12 4 937 Total Individuals / Area 14 74 8 48 65 705 2 2 15 4

3 Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv) 1 J 2 A

# Area Surveyed – Sector C Start Time End Time 11 Wallkill View Farm, Libertyville Road, New Paltz – Field 01:30 PM 01:50 12 Agriculture Research, Libertyville Road, New Paltz – Field 01:50 02:00 13 Million Dollar Farm, Springtown Road, New Paltz – Field 02:10 02:15 14 Morning Calm Farm, Springtown Road, New Paltz – Field 02:15 02:25 15 Byersdorfer Rd (off Rt. 32, Rosendale/Kingston) 03:00 03:00 PM 16 17 18 19 20

Total Species Area  11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 593 Canada Goose 358 48 74 8 Mute Swan 2 8 American Black Duck 4 101 Mallard 2 488 Total Individuals / Area 358 48 74 8

1 Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv) 1 A

1,425 SECTOR TOTALS Species: 11 Notes: Site #15 ~ one mile from site #3 Bald Eagles: 3 (Ad) 1 (Juv)

New York State Waterfowl Count – 2008 Date: January 12, 2008 Ulster County – NYSOA Region 9 Page 6 of 8

Observers: Selden Spencer, Bea Conover

# Area Surveyed – Sector E Start Time End Time 1 Flats at New Paltz from bridge to Libertyville Road – Wallkill River 09:15 AM 09:30 2 Flats South (beyond Wallkill Farms) – Wallkill River 09:45 10:15 3 Wallkill River above dam 10:20 10:25 4 Shawangunk Creek / Wallkill River confluence (Yogi Bear Park) 10:30 10:45 5 Watch Tower Farms – Field 10:50 11:00 6 Galeville Bridge Area – Wallkill River 10:50 11:00 7 Wallkill Prison Grounds – Field 11:10 11:20 8 Wallkill River north of bridge (includes Rioes Rd cornfield off Springtown Rd) 11:25 11:45 9 Perrines Covered Bridge County Park – Wallkill River 11:50 12:10 PM 10 Rondout Creek west of Rt. 32 bridge, Rosendale 12:25 12:45 PM

Total Species Area  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2,816 Canada Goose 443 113 6 28 16 1,850 360 1 American Black Duck 1 25 Mallard 2 11 2 10 21 Common Merganser 4 12 1 4 2,863 Total Individuals / Area 449 125 18 29 16 6 1,850 370

Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv)

2,863 SECTOR TOTALS Species: 4 Notes: Site #8 CAGO in cornfield Bald Eagles: (Ad) (Juv)

New York State Waterfowl Count – 2008 Date: January 12, 2008 Ulster County – NYSOA Region 9 Page 7 of 8

Observers: Evelyn and Bob Rifenburg, Wyatt Smith

# Area Surveyed – Sector F Start Time End Time 1 Cooper Lake Frozen 09:00 AM 09:15 2 Binnewater Lake 10:15 10:20 3 Williams Lake Frozen 10:30 10;35 4 Rondout Creek (toward Feather Farm) 10:45 11:00 5 Rest Plaus Road (by old Mill) 11:03 11:06 6 Feather Farm – Rondout Creek 11;10 11:20 7 Alligerville Bridge – Rondout Creek 11:25 11:35 8 Accord Bridge (Rt. 209) – Rondout Creek 11:40 12:00 PM 9 Route 209 Flats (near Kripplebush/Samsonville Junction) – Cornfields 12:15 12:18 10 High Falls Power Plant – Rondout Creek 12:30 12:40 PM

Total Species Area  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 61 Canada Goose 4 55 2 10 American Black Duck 10 6 Mallard 6 3 Common Goldeneye 3 80 Total Individuals / Area 6 14 55 3 2

Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv)

# Area Surveyed – Sector F Start Time End Time 11 Leggs Mills Bridge, Lake Katrine – Esopus Creek 01:10 PM 01:20 12 Van Etten Lane, Lake Katrine – Esopus Creek 01:25 01:35 13 Bennekill Pond, Lake Katrine (by Esopus Creek) Frozen 01:40 01:45 14 Sawkill Road - Sawkill Creek 01:47 01:50 15 Kingston Reservoir #1 02:00 02:10 16 Kingston Reservoir #4 02:15 02:17 17 Zena Bridge – Sawkill Creek 02:20 02:30 18 John Joy Road beyond Zena Bridge – Field 02:30 02:32 PM 19 20

Total Species Area  11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 915 Canada Goose 60 855 8 Mallard 8 1 Common Goldeneye 1 924 Total Individuals / Area 60 863 1

Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv)

1,004 SECTOR TOTALS Species: 4 Notes: Bald Eagles: (Ad) (Juv)

New York State Waterfowl Count – 2008

Date: January 12, 2008 Ulster County – NYSOA Region 9 Page 8 of 8

Observers:

# Area Surveyed – M (Miscellaneous Reports) Start Time End Time 1 Rondout Reservoir Frozen 2 Plattekill Creek, Saugerties 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Total Species Area  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 Total Individuals / Area 0 0

Bald Eagle (Ad/Juv)

0 SECTOR TOTALS Species: 0 Notes: Bald Eagles: (Ad) (Juv)